Hanging Assembly

ABSTRACT

A portable hanging assembly for supporting a hunting bow or other tool on a tree trunk or a similar support is described. A rope is passed through a pouch which is attached to a hook or other, similar object. The rope is then tied around a support, thereby securing the pouch and hook to the support. The hunter may then hang weapons or tools on the hook for easy access with minimum movement.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims priority to U.S. Ser. No. 61/378,429 filed Aug. 31, 2010, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and improved portable holder for use in supporting a hunting bow or firearm on a trunk of a tree or similar support.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hunting activities normally involve equipment and materials which are desirably kept off the ground. Items can be hung on limbs of trees or bushes, or can be placed on top of other items such as tables, chairs, chests, and the like. To minimize the amount of equipment carried on outdoor activities, however, it is desirable to use naturally available structures such as trees.

In order to successfully hunt, a bow hunter must sit extremely still for long periods of time waiting for prey to walk within range. Any movement of the bow hunter will startle the prey and spoil the hunt. Normally, when prey is within range the hunter must ready him or her self by retrieving the bow and getting into position. The present invention allows a hunter's bow to hang directly in front or to a side of the hunter at all times in a ready position, thereby reducing the movement of a hunter.

Several portable hangers which may be securable to a vertical support such as a tree are known, including, but not limited to the following:

U.S. Patent Publication No. 2009/0230258 to McFadden, et al. describes a device to hold open a trash bag for easy deposit of garbage in a camping or outdoor picnicking environment while securing the invention to a tree or pole/post while also providing a closable lid to cover the opening and keep out insects. A geometrically shaped frame/bracket is secured to a backing frame in which the entire invention may be mounted to a tree by a strap or mounted by brackets onto a pole or post. The trash bag holder frame is encircled by two tension closed arms which hold the bag firmly in place so it does not slip out when loaded with trash. A lid connected by a pivoting swing connector device is positioned in a manner so it may be lifted up to open position to deposit trash and closed to seal off bag opening from intruding insects and minimize odors from wild animals.

U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006/0163439 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,552,904 to Zehnder et al. describes a portable hanger is securable to a vertical support such as a tree. The portable hanger includes a foldable backing with a closure device. A strap coupled to one end of the backing and releaseably coupled to the other end of the backing allows the hanger to be secured about a vertical support. Containing in the hanger are a plurality of hooks and slots, as well as a bag or closure device.

U.S. Patent Publication No. 20030094553 to Mullis describes a device for suspending animals after a hunt includes a pair of legs, and means for mounting the device to an upright member. One leg is used to suspend or hang the animal, and the other leg has a serrated member, which secures the device from lateral and vertical motion when in place. A brace can be used to provide further support for suspension of animals, and the device can be made collapsible for ease of transport and storage.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,726,163 to Eppard et al. describes a shooting rest for supporting a firearm while a hunter is hunting from a tree stand, a tree seat, a ground blind or a field, including a mounting bracket and an arm pivotally attached thereto to allow horizontal aiming adjustment having a pair of forks from which a cradle is supported for resting a firearm therein. Vertical aiming adjustment is allowed by swinging the firearm forward or backward within the cradle and/or adjusting the cradle along the fore-end of the stock of the firearm.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,561,477 to Prive describes an archery bow hanger that provides an archer with the ability to hang his bow at anytime while in the woods, a tree stand, a ground stand, or a hunting blind. The bow is always within reach, even when climbing a tree, and arrows can be notched while the bow is hanging so that the archer is ready to shoot at all times. Use of the archery bow hanger increases the enjoyment of hunting by freeing the archer's hands for other activities such as binocular usage, relaxation, eating, and drinking. By providing an alternative to leaning the bow against a tree or laying it on the ground, this invention keeps the bow free of leaves, dirt, bark, twigs, grass, or mud. The archery bow hangar consists mainly of a hollow metal tube with a bracket on one end and a hook on the other end. The bracket is adaptable for right and left-handed archers and is mounted on the bow by attaching it at the quiver or sight mount screw holes. hanging the bow is accomplished by placing the hook over a tree limb or in a screw eye that is inserted into a tree or other suitable surface.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,478,272 to McKinsey et al. describes a portable hanger, for attachment to a wood structure such as a tree, supports equipment for outdoor activity such as hunting, fishing, camping, or photography. The portable hanger comprises a rigid mounting member for attachment proximate one end to a wood structure and a swing arm pivotally connected proximate one end of the swing arm to the mounting member proximate another end of the mounting member. The swing arm extends from the one end of the swing arm to another end of the swing arm and comprises at least two rigid members pivotally connected to one another. The mounting member and the at least two rigid members of the swing arm are pivotally connected such that the portable hanger is selectively arrangeable in a compact configuration, wherein the mounting member and the at least two rigid members of the swing arm are juxtaposed, and alternatively arrangeable in an expanded configuration wherein the mounting member and the at least two rigid members of the swing arm extend end-to-end.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,295,976 to Runde describes a hunting bow hanger in the form of a cylindrical shaft of substantially the same length and diameter as a hunting arrow, having self-starting wood screw threads on one end, and a hook that includes a crank portion on the other end. The crank is used to turn the shaft manually to screw the threads into a tree trunk. To prevent bending of the shaft under load, a cable tether is provided that spans from the hook end of the shaft diagonally upward to an anchor higher on the tree trunk. The anchor has self-starting wood screw threads and a crank portion for tool-less threading into the tree trunk. The cable is attached to the hanger shaft near the hook end, and has a free end with a loop that slips over a retention portion of the anchor crank. This provides a sturdy bow hanger that is carried in the quiver in place of one of the arrows.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,967,475 to Johnson describes a Hunting Bow hanging apparatus attachable to a tree or post comprising an “L”-shaped bracket with a lag bolt permanently attached extending from one end of the “L”-shaped bracket and screwable secured to a tree. A square aluminum outer tube is attached to the other end of the “L”-shaped bracket and has holes drilled down its length to allow for adjustment of a square aluminum inner tube insertable therein which has holes drilled that correspond to the holes of the outer tube. A locking bolt and/or pin is insertable through the holes of the outer and inner tubes to allow for length adjustment and securing of the inner tube. A hunting bow mounting bracket is provided at the end of the inner extension tube for connecting the bow or any other article to the apparatus.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,769,372 to Klosterman describes a hunting weapon holder includes a base which is connectable with a suitable support, such as a trunk of a tree, by a strap. A support assembly has an inner end portion which is pivotally connected with the base and an outer end portion which is spaced from the trunk of the tree. A weapon hanger is connected with the outer end portion of the support assembly. The support assembly includes a plurality of sections which are disposed in a telescopic relationship with each other. An inner one of the sections is pivotally connected with the base for pivotal movement about an axis which extends parallel to the tree trunk. An outer end portion of an outer one of the sections is pivotal about a second axis which extends parallel to the axis about which the inner section is pivotal.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,727,760 to Wytovak, et al. describes a bow hanger for hanging bows and hunting equipment from a tree or pole. The bow hanger differs from prior art in that the bow hanger is collapsible into a smaller length package than prior art. Also the bow hangar arm can be adjusted for height without disturbing the means of attaching to a tree or pole.

Other patents disclosing outdoors hanging and support devices, or variations thereof, include U.S. Pat. No. 5,310,151, U.S. Pat. No. 5,265,365, U.S. Pat. No. 5,218,982, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,024,997.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and improved hanging assembly for use in supporting today's hunting bows, crossbows, or firearms on a trunk of a tree or similar support. The present invention is an article of manufacture, comprising a hanging assembly, a sleeve covering the hanging assembly, a foldable pouch, a retention assembly to attach the hanging assembly to the foldable pouch, with the foldable pouch having a first end and a second end where the first and second ends can be removably engaged using a fastening system.

The hanging assembly may be a hook or other device that will hold weapons or tools. A sleeve covers the hanging assembly. The foldable pouch is a generally rectangular piece of material that has hook and loop fasteners (such as Velcro™) on two opposing ends, such that it can be formed into a pouch when the ends are engaged. The foldable pouch is connected to the hanging assembly by attaching the sleeve to it.

To use the invention, a user puts a rope onto the open foldable pouch, engages the ends to create the pouch pocket with a length of the rope inside, and secures the rope around a tree or other object. Since the foldable pouch is attached to the hanging assembly through the sleeve, the hanging assembly is now secured on the tree or other object, and the user may hang hunting or other tools on it.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable, light-weight, and inexpensive hunting bow hanger that can be attached to a tree trunk without tools, while being sturdy enough to support the heaviest hunting bow.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a hunting bow hanger that provides a hanging apparatus for supporting a hunting bow in front of or to the side of a hunter.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a hunting bow hanger that supports a hunting bow in a position which minimizes the movement of the hunter thereby resulting in more successful hunting.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a hunting bow hanger that frees the hands of the hunter so that the hunter may perform animal calls thereby luring animals to the hunter's location within range and further minimizing movement of the hunter when readying his/her weapon when the prey is near.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a hanging assembly for weapons so that the hunter's hands remain free for using binoculars, range finders, for eating, drinking, or for using a portable urinal.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a hunting bow holder in which a strap is provided for securing the hunting bow to a tree to maintain the hunting bow in an upright position.

It is still another object of the present invention to be used in conjunction with the hunters safety harness strap that will attach both the hunter and the weapon securely to the tree.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a hunting bow holder that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and easy to use.

Other objects, features, and advantages of this invention will become from the following detailed description of embodiments, drawings, and claims.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description there of which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a back partially cut-away perspective view of the device.

FIG. 2 is a back perspective view of the device.

FIG. 3 is front perspective view of the device.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the hanging assembly.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the device in use.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the device.

FIG. 7 is a back view of the device.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the device in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT S

FIG. 1 is a back partially cut-away perspective view of the device.

FIG. 1 shows the device 10, with foldable pouch 20 that has foldable pouch first end 21, foldable pouch second end 22, foldable pouch first side 25, foldable pouch second side 26, and foldable pouch back 28. Device 10 also has hanging assembly 30, sleeve 31, and retention assembly 40.

FIG. 1 illustrates the device before use. In this view, the foldable pouch 20 is unfolded, or open. The hanging assembly 30 can be seen partially covered by the sleeve 31; in a non cut-away view in the preferred embodiment, the hanging assembly would be fully covered by the sleeve. In a preferred embodiment, the material of the sleeve fully encompasses the hanging assembly and extends past it. This forms the retention assembly 40, which is then attached to the foldable pouch. This will be discussed in more detail with FIG. 7.

The preferred embodiment is for the sleeve to fit flush against the hanging assembly. A loose sleeve could move around on the hanging assembly during use and cause the user to drop his weapon or tool accidentally. However, the sleeve may fit loosely or flush against the hanging assembly. It is preferable for the sleeve to conform to the shape of the hanging assembly. For instance, if the hanging assembly is a hook, the sleeve may be fashioned to be in the shape of a hook. The user would then slip the hook into the sleeve and have the desired shape available for hanging tools. Having both the hanging assembly and sleeve be of the same shape helps retain the desired shape, and stability aids in the use of the device as noted above. The hanging assembly may be disposed in the sleeve through an opening anywhere on the sleeve; the device may be manufactured with the sleeve already in place, or there may be openings that allow the hanging assembly to be removed from and reinstalled into the sleeve.

Alternately, the sleeve could be partially adhered to the hanging assembly, such that the retention assembly is still present, but the entire hanging assembly is not covered by the sleeve.

The materials of manufacture for the sleeve include, but are not limited to, textiles, fabrics, metals, plastics, rubbers, elastomers, paper or wood products, or any other material of combination of materials. The preferred material for the sleeve is a water and mold proof canvass fabric.

The hanging assembly is most preferably a hook, but it may be any shape or type of object that allows one to hang other objects on it. The hanging assembly may be, but is not limited to, a hook, a ring, a triangle, a square, or a knob. The materials of manufacture for the hanging assembly include, but are not limited to, metals, plastics, rubbers, elastomers, fabrics, paper or wood products, or any other material or combination of materials.

FIG. 2 is a back perspective view of the device.

FIG. 2 shows the device 10, with foldable pouch 20, foldable pouch first end 21, foldable pouch second end 22, foldable pouch first side 25, foldable pouch second side 26, foldable pouch back 28, hanging assembly 30, sleeve 31, foldable pouch first end width 51, and foldable pouch second end width 52.

FIG. 2 illustrates the placement of the foldable pouch first end 21 and foldable pouch second end 22. When the pouch is in use, the ends are joined together. This will be discussed with FIG. 3. The foldable pouch first end 21 and foldable pouch second end 22 are preferably made from hook and loop fasteners, such as Velcro™, but they may be made of any fastening system, such as but not limited to, snaps, tie-able laces, zippers, rivets, heat fusion, or any other fastening system. Although the foldable pouch first end 21 and foldable pouch second end 22 are made, in the preferred embodiment, to be removably engaged, they may be permanently engaged.

The foldable pouch is preferably made from a nylon material, but it may be made from any material, including but not limited to, fabrics, rubbers, plastics, glass (such as fiberglass), wood or paper products, metals, elastomers, thermoplastics, or any combination of these materials with each other or with other materials.

FIG. 3 is front perspective view of the device.

FIG. 3 shows the device 10, foldable pouch 20, foldable pouch first end 21, foldable pouch second end 22, foldable pouch fastening system 24, foldable pouch first side 25, foldable pouch second side 26, foldable pouch front 27, crease 29, hanging assembly 30 covered by sleeve 31, and pouch pocket 60.

FIG. 3 shows the device 10 as it would be during use, only without the securing component, which will be discussed in FIG. 5. The foldable pouch first end 21 and foldable pouch second end 22 have been joined together into the foldable pouch fastening system 24. This creates the pouch pocket 60. A crease 20 has been formed at a point midway between the foldable pouch first end 21 and the foldable pouch second end 22, extending from the foldable pouch first side 25 to the foldable pouch second side 26. This crease helps to form the pouch pocket. The foldable pouch 20 may be folded to make the pouch pocket 60 before the securing component is disposed in it, or the securing component may be disposed on the open foldable pouch 60 and the foldable pouch may be folded over the securing component.

The foldable pouch first end and the foldable pouch second end may both be on the front of the foldable pouch, may both be on the back of the foldable pouch, or one may be on the front of the foldable pouch while the other is on the back of the foldable pouch. In the case where they are both on the same side, the user would fold the pouch approximately in half and engage the ends by pressing them together.

In the case where the foldable pouch first end is on one side of the foldable pouch and the foldable pouch second end is on the other side of the foldable pouch, the user would roll one end over the other and engage the ends by pressing one down on the other. The resulting shape of the pouch pocket in this case would be more rounded than if the foldable pouch ends were on the same side of the foldable pouch, and the crease would not be present.

The dimensions of the foldable pouch are such that, with the fastening system engaged, a pouch pocket with a diameter of 0.5 to 30 inches is created, with a preferred diameter of approximately 3 inches. The length of the pouch pocket would be 0.5 to 80 inches wide, with a preferred length of approximately 8 inches wide. The thickness of the foldable pouch is such that it is strong yet foldable, with a thickness of approximately 0.1 inch to 10 inches, and a preferred thickness of approximately 0.25-0.50 inches.

The foldable pouch first end and second ends are approximately equal in length and width, with the length being approximately equal to the length of the foldable pouch. The foldable pouch first end width 51 and the foldable pouch second end width 52 are approximately 0.5 to 10 inches, with a preferred width of approximately 1-2 inches.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the hanging assembly. FIG. 4 shows the hanging assembly 30 with padding 35. In this embodiment, the padding 35 can adhered to the hanging assembly 30 or can be removably disposed on it. The padding can be any material, including but not limited to, foam, fabric, rubber, plastic, or any combination of these materials with each other or with other materials. The sleeve is not shown in this figure, but would be disposed over the padding on the hanging assembly.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the device in use.

FIG. 5 shows the device 10, foldable pouch 20, hanging assembly 30, sleeve 31, retention assembly 40, pouch pocket 60, securing component 80, support 90, hunting bow 100. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the securing component 80 is preferably a rope or cable, however, it can be any object that allows the user to secure the device 10 to the support 90, which in FIG. 5 is a tree. Other supports will be discussed with FIG. 8. The hanging assembly is a hook, which is preferred.

In order to use the device 10, the user opens the foldable pouch as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and places a portion of the securing component on the flat surface between the foldable pouch first end and the foldable pouch second end. The first and second ends are then engaged to form the fastening system, thereby forming the pouch pocket with the securing component inside. The securing component is then disposed on the support. In the example shown, a portion of a rope is enclosed in the pouch pocket, then the rope is tied around the tree trunk. The design of the device allows the hook to hang down from the foldable pouch. The hunting bow is then hung from the hook.

As can be seen from the figures, the present invention is simple and easy to use, yet very effective in allowing a user to have a portable system for placing weapons or tools within reach. As stated above, this allows a user to quickly and quietly retrieve a weapon or tool for use. In the case of hunting, the device may allow a user to retrieve a weapon without alerting the desired target.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the device.

FIG. 6 shows the device 10, foldable pouch 20, foldable pouch fastening system 24, foldable pouch first side 25, foldable pouch second side 26, foldable pouch front 27, crease 29, hanging assembly 30, sleeve 31, retention assembly 40, and pouch pocket 60.

FIG. 7 is a back view of the device.

FIG. 7 shows the device 10, foldable pouch 20, foldable pouch first end 21, foldable pouch second end 22, foldable pouch first side 25, foldable pouch second side 26, foldable pouch back 28, hanging assembly 30, sleeve 31, and retention assembly 40.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the placement of the retention assembly 40 on the front and back of the foldable pouch 20 respectively. The retention assembly is attached to one side of the foldable pouch 20. As mentioned earlier, in the preferred embodiment the retention assembly is an extension of the sleeve 31; the hanging assembly 30 is disposed in the sleeve, so this allows the hanging assembly 30 to be attached to the foldable pouch 20.

In a preferred embodiment, the retention assembly is made from the same material as the sleeve so that the retention assembly and the sleeve are one continuous component. The sleeve fully contains the hanging assembly and a portion of the sleeve extends past the hanging assembly; this extended portion is the retention assembly that is attached to the foldable pouch. Also in the preferred embodiment, the width of the retention assembly is approximately equal to the width of the hanging assembly. This ensures that when the retention assembly is attached to the foldable pouch, the hanging assembly is in the desired position in relation to the foldable pouch.

Alternately, the retention assembly may be made from a material different of that of the sleeve and the two components may be attached to each other, and it may be a different width than the hanging assembly.

The retention assembly may be attached to the foldable pouch by any method, including but not limited to, being sewn on, being fused on, being adhered with glue or cement, or any method that serves to attach the retention assembly to the foldable pouch.

The retention assembly may be attached to the foldable pouch on the front side of the foldable pouch or on the back side of the foldable pouch. In an alternate embodiment wherein the foldable pouch is not removably engaged but is fixed with the fastening system permanently engaged, the retention assembly may be attached to the foldable pouch on both the front and back sides. In this embodiment, the user would pass the securing component through the already formed pouch pocket.

The foldable pouch may be made from one layer of material, or it may multiple layers of material that are joined through any method, including but not limited to, sewing, fusing, gluing, adhering, or any combination of these methods with each other or with other methods. If the foldable pouch is made from multiple layers, the retention assembly may be attached between layers. For example, a foldable pouch may be made from two layers of material with the retention assembly placed between the two layers, and the material layers and retention assembly may be sewn together.

One advantage of the present invention is that the hanging assembly and foldable pouch are joined using the retention assembly. Attaching the hanging assembly to the foldable pouch through use of the retention assembly allows the hanging assembly to be made from any material and to be any shape, as it does not have to be directly attached to anything. This also allows the use of commercially and readily available components to be used as the hanging assembly, thereby reducing the cost of the device and making manufacture easier.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the device in use.

FIG. 8 shows the device 10, foldable pouch 20, hanging assembly 30, pouch pocket 60, securing component 80, support 90, hunting bow 100, hunter 130, hunting platform 140, safety harness 150.

In FIG. 8, a hunter is standing on a hunting platform 140, wearing a safety harness 150. The safety harness 150 is attached to the securing component 80, which also holds the device 10. The device 10 may be attached to the same securing component as shown, or it may be attached to a separate securing component. One or more of the devices 10 may be attached to the same securing component 80 or to other securing components 80. The securing component 80 may be attached to any support; in FIG. 8 the securing component is shown attached to a tree, but it may be attached to a separate support, such as an extension of the hunting platform.

The device 10 is shown with one hanging assembly disposed on the foldable pouch, but there may be multiple hanging assemblies disposed on the same foldable pouch.

In a separate embodiment not shown in the figures, the hanging assembly may be disposed through a hole in the center of the foldable pouch, and may be held in place by a crossbar that is attached perpendicular to the hanging assembly and is disposed inside the foldable pouch along the width of the foldable pouch. The sleeve may or may not be disposed on the hanging assembly.

Having described specific preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to those precise embodiments and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention defined by the appended claims. The disclosures and description herein are intended to be illustrative and are not in any sense limiting of the invention, which is defined solely in accordance with the following claim. 

What is claimed:
 1. An article of manufacture, comprising: a hanging assembly; a sleeve covering the hanging assembly; a foldable pouch; a retention assembly to attach the hanging assembly to the foldable pouch; the foldable pouch having a first end and a second end where the first and second ends can be removably engaged using a fastening system.
 2. The article of claim 1, wherein the pouch is generally rectangular in shape and said pouch has a first side and a second side, wherein a crease is formable at a point midway between the first and second ends, extending from the first side to the second side.
 3. The article of claim 1 wherein said hanging assembly is a hook.
 4. The article of claim 3, wherein the hook is formed of a plastic material.
 5. The article of claim 3, wherein the hook is made from a metal material.
 6. The article of claim 1 wherein the hanging assembly is padded.
 7. The article of claim 1, wherein the sleeve shape conforms to the shape of the hanging assembly.
 8. The article of claim 1, wherein the sleeve fits flush against the hanging assembly.
 9. The article of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is made of textiles.
 10. The article of claim 1, wherein the sleeve fully contains the hanging assembly and a portion extends past the hanging assembly to form a retention assembly that is attached to the foldable pouch.
 11. The article of claim 10, wherein the width of the retention assembly is approximately equal to the width of the hanging assembly.
 12. The article of claim 11, wherein the retention assembly is sewn onto the foldable pouch.
 13. The article of claim 1, wherein the first end and second end are on the front of the foldable pouch.
 14. The article of claim 1, wherein the first end and second end are on the back of the foldable pouch.
 15. The article of claim 1, wherein the first end is on the front of the foldable pouch and the second end is on the back of the foldable pouch.
 16. The article of claim 1, wherein the retention assembly is on the front of the foldable pouch.
 17. The article of claim 1, wherein the retention assembly is on the back of the foldable pouch.
 18. The article of claim 1, wherein the foldable pouch is made from multiple layers of material, and the retention assembly is disposed between the layers.
 19. The article of claim 1, wherein the foldable pouch is made from one layer of material.
 20. The article of claim 1 wherein the fastening system is a hook and loop fastener system. 